Two different pasts

“What does that mean?” I asked.
“I’m sorry. There are things I can see but can’t explain until the right events have occurred. All I can say is don’t give up on Dean.”
I nodded and left her house. It wasn’t a total waste at least I had hope.
“Sorry it wasn’t very helpful,” Avery said.
“It’s okay.”
“Mind if I ask you something?” Avery asked.
She stared out the window and then at me. We stilled idled in her Aunt’s house.
“Go ahead,” I said.
“What’s Alpha Gabriel like?”
“Gabe? He isn’t bothering you is he?”
“No, no of course not.” She backed out of her Aunt’s driveway.
“I’m just curious. He’s an Alpha and sort of a closed book.”
“I think they both are. I didn’t know Dean’s mother was a breeder. I guess in some packs it’s an honour but it wasn’t in mine. They like to keep things to themselves. It’s infuriating.”
“I can imagine. He just seems so distant but he’s also commanding. Everyone respects him.”
“Have you been spending a lot of time together?”
“What? No, I’m just an omega. Why would an Alpha want to spend time with me?”
“Being an omega doesn’t make you worthless.”
She shook her head. “I’m good for being used. That’s it.”
“Avery, if that were true you wouldn’t be fighting off the betas when they tried to get comfortable with you.”
“I guess so but that’s just how it is. We submit to their orders.”
The unfortunate truth for omegas in most packs. Though there was something about the way Avery spoke about Gabe. She was curious more than for information's sake. I saw the way they looked at each other that day in the kitchen but I brushed it off. Could it be possible Gabe found his fated mate?
Would Dean keep it from me if it were true?
“You know I was wolfless when Dean met me.”
“You’re not wolfless though. You’re a badass beta wolf with incredible powers.”
“I am now I wasn’t then. Dean didn’t know that he could have killed me and forgotten it would have benefitted him if I’m honest but he didn’t. The mate bond is a strong thing.”
“I don’t know Layla. Sometimes the mate bond… isn’t as powerful. Not for everyone.”
Avery wasn’t giving up much information, though it seemed likely she was involved with Gabe somehow.
“I had a mate once a fated mate,” Avery said softly.
“What happened?”
“He’s around but he rejected me. I wasn’t good enough for him because my wolf’s weak.”
“Just because it isn’t the biggest doesn’t mean it’s weak. It was his loss.”
“You’re too nice but it’s the truth.”
“Did you leave after he rejected you?”
“No, I stayed because I wouldn’t let him run me out of my pack but rejection hurts. He was the Alpha’s right-hand beta and I’m the daughter of the pack gamma warrior. We weren’t in love. He was brutal and self-centred. Fate wasn’t kind to me with him.”
“Fate gives second chances right?” Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here and Dean wouldn’t have a mate.
“I don’t want to experience what I did back then. I left after he took another mate. It was easier to heal when I wasn’t asking myself a lot of questions every time I saw him.”
I wanted to believe Gabe would look passed her rank and see how strong and hard-working she was. Though, he had Kenzie even though they hadn’t put a label on their relationship they were sleeping together. Kenzie’s feelings were mixed up in this too.
We arrived at the castle without a scratch on the truck. Avery handed me back the keys.
“Am I going to get into trouble for this?” She asked.
“What they don’t know won’t hurt them.”
She smiled before she walked back to the castle.
“Where are you?” I asked Dean through our link.
“The West garden,” he replied instantly.
It was a special place for us that’s where we had our first power surge. I noticed how dry the grass was on my way to the garden. The hedges were drying up too. The sun was merciless these days. I stopped to inspect a flower in a pot that had shrivelled up.
“Poor thing,” I said turning the pot.
I couldn’t tell what flower it was it was just a dried-up stick. I picked at the dried leaf before setting it down and continue on my way. The dead flower plumped up going from murky brown to vibrant green. The flower bloomed into beautiful lavender.
“I did that,” I laughed nervously setting the pot down.
What if I could make the entire field green again?
“Layla!”
I turned to face Eight who stormed up to me.
“What’s this about your mate telling Owen that you’re not doing the ceremony?” He blasted.
I stumbled back. I’d never seen him this mad.
“We’re going to fight the Dare pack just not that way.”
“You’re defending him? Are you insane?”
“You’re paranoid, Eight—”
“I told you not to trust that guy, didn’t I?”
I frowned. “Says the guy who didn’t tell me his real name until someone else mentioned it!”
“You didn’t seem too worried about that when I saved your ass.”
“What the hell’s going on?” Dean’s commanding voice cut our conversation. “I don’t like anyone talking about Layla’s ass.”
Dean appeared behind me and deliberately placed his hand on my waist.
“You got things to hide, Alpha King? Why won’t you do the ceremony?” Eight yelled.
“You know I’ve got shit to hide. I wouldn’t have an empire if I didn’t put people in the ground.”
“You so shamelessly say it. You won’t deny you killed your entire counsel?”
“I’d do it all over again.”
I recalled walking into a bloody kitchen after Dean mercilessly took out his entire counsel. I shuddered.
“Is this the man you want as your mate?” Eight asked.
Yes.
“He’s rather damn us all that do a dumb ritual.”
“We’re going to fight. Unlike the prick who likes to complain. Will you be at the forefront of that fight? Or will you hide behind your Uncle?”
“Fuck you, Dean. Layla has no idea how much of a monster you are.”
“I only kill those who deserve it. Don’t get it twisted.”
“Like Victor and Tristan?” Eight yelled the veins in his neck popped out.
“Who?” Dean and I asked at the same time.
Eight’s gaze descended into darkness.
“I was right all along. I can’t trust anyone. Must less the Alpha King.” Eight marched off.
I grabbed Dean’s arm. He pulled out his phone from his back pocket.
“Who are Victor and Tristan?” I asked.
“I don’t know… I don’t remember maybe. They’re not the most unique names, Layla.”
“Who are you calling?”
“The team. I’ve never liked your so-called cousin. He knows more than he should and I don’t know why.”
Eight always told me not to trust Dean. He sought me out to warn me even when the Dare wolves were prowling. Was his hatred born from more than his distrust of Dean or something that my mate did to him?